Mets charging admission to workouts to benefit charities

PORT ST. LUCIE - Local charities will benefit from the New York Mets' decision to charge fans $2 to attend team workouts at the Tradition Field complex, but at least one longtime fan is upset by the policy.

The new policy began Thursday &#151; five days after official team practices began &#151; and calls for fans 15 years old and up to be charged $2 to attend workouts through Monday. The Mets first exhibition game is Tuesday at home against the University of Michigan.

All proceeds will go to St. Lucie County charities, said St. Lucie Mets general manager Paul Taglieri, who added the team will not keep any of the money.

"It was looked at as an opportunity to give back to organizations in the area," Taglieri said. "It's something that we've been thinking about for years now."

Port St. Lucie resident and longtime Mets booster Pat Lowe said the workouts should remain free to the public.

"I was very, very angry," said Lowe, a spring training season ticket holder since 1988 and a St. Lucie Mets season ticket holder since 1992. "I couldn't believe it. We never had to pay to see practice."

St. Lucie Mets Booster Club president Jim Fertitta was caught off-guard by the announcement but likes the fact all money will go to charity.

"I was surprised when it happened," Fertitta said. "Maybe they should have given people advance notice for the ones who come for a month, two months. For them, it's a surprise."

"It's going to a good cause, and it's going back to the community. To me, it's not a big problem. A lot of people are from up north, and they're just glad to get in to see the players."

An estimated 1,500 fans attended the Mets practice session on Wednesday, according to team officials.

Other area spring training sites in Vero Beach, Jupiter and Viera do not charge fans to attend team workouts.